Monthly Archives: January 2012

Patterns of chromosome abnormality: The key to cancer?

A healthy genome is characterized by 23 pairs of chromosomes, and even a small change in this structure — such as an extra copy of a single chromosome — can lead to severe physical impairment. So it\’s no surprise that when it comes to cancer, chromosomal structure is frequently a contributing factor, says Prof. Ron […] … learn more→

Sustainable seaweed: Researchers explore algae-based animal feed

The pigs and poultry in Professor Xingen Lei\’s lab have been consuming feed one wouldn\’t expect in Ithaca: marine algae. The Cornell animal science professor is testing the unlikely material as a new protein-rich source of feed to supplement and replace some of the corn and soybean meal mix traditionally given to food-producing animals. By […] … learn more→

Gong Xi Fa Ca!

That’s the traditional Chinese New Year greeting that means “wishing you prosperity” in Mandarin. China greeted the Year of the Dragon with spectacular fireworks and some of the coldest weather yet this winter. Chinese households set off fireworks on the eve of the New Year in order to drive away evil spirits. In Shanghai, the […] … learn more→

Make LOHAS a family activity

What is LOHAS? LOHAS is an abbreviation for ‘lifestyles of health and sustainability’. People who subscribe to LOHAS values are focused on their personal development, health and fitness, on the environment and sustainable living, and on social justice. Research indicates that 25% of adults in the USA endorse these lifestyle choices – an encouraging percentage […] … learn more→

Banned Books Awareness: “Beloved”

Students at the Plymouth-Canton Schools in Michigan got a crash course in politics this week. That’s because one family launched an official complaint on December 20, 2011 to have the fictional novel Beloved, by Toni Morrison, banned from the AP English curriculum due to racial themes, sexual content, and passages about ghosts (the spirit of […] … learn more→

Historian launches project to debate free speech

A research project which invites people to debate global free speech in the internet age was launched at Oxford University this last week. Free Speech Debate, which is led by Professor of European Studies Timothy Garton Ash, aims to encourage people around the world to think about and discuss the opportunities and limits of free […] … learn more→

No love lost between bowerbirds in quest for mate

Macho behaviour, jealousy and extravagant techniques to impress females is not limited to humans – bowerbirds display similar traits, a James Cook University researcher has found. Professor John Endler, from JCU’s School of Marine and Tropical Biology, whose area of expertise is evolutionary ecology, has recently produced a research paper titled \”Illusions promote mating success […] … learn more→